Oman fought well but still fell 19 runs short of the target set up by Sri Lanka in the first T20I at Al Amerat Cricket Ground. Batting first, Sri Lanka rode on a half-century from Avishka Fernando to post 162 on the board. Lahiru Kumara then picked four wickets to restrict Oman to 143/8.
Sri Lanka got off to a poor start after being put in to bat first. They lost both Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis for golden ducks in the second over. Chandimal ended up holing out to Naseem Khushi, and Mendis was trapped leg-before by Fayyaz Butt.
An over later, Pathum Nissanka was undone by Kaleemullah. Sri Lanka were 21/3 at this point. Avishka Fernando then held the innings from one end, and he was ably supported by Dasun Shanaka. Fernando made an unbeaten 83, while Shanaka got 51, as Sri Lanka posted 162/4 in 20 overs.
Just like their opponents, Oman were left reeling at 23/4 in the fifth over. Both Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara struck twice in their opening spell.
Ayan Khan made 23 before falling to Chamika Karunaratne. Mohammad Nadeem offered some resistance, scoring a run-a-ball 32 before falling to Kumara. Naseem Khushi tried to revive the chase with a quickfire 40, but it was not enough to avoid a defeat.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 162/4 in 20 overs (Avishka Fernando 83; Fayyaz Butt 2-42) beat Oman 143/8 in 20 overs (Naseem Khushi 40; Lahiru Kumara 4-34) by 19 runs.